Competition.
I like some good, friendly competition every now and then. Who doesn't?
But
What I have really taken notice of lately is very evident and unhealthy competition with a side of jealousy amongst Christian folks. Especialy in the female gender. To be transparent: It is ridiculous.
Let's be honest for a second. We all think someone is prettier than us, skinnier than us, more talented than us, has a greater personality than us, has better clothes than us, doesn't deserve their blessings, but we do because we would definitely take better care of them (ya right), oh and we can't forget how mad we get when someone gets recognition for something they shared that made them seem amazing when in fact you told that person that very revaltion to begin with. Where is my recognition? Where is my compliment? Been there? I have many, many, many, many, mannnyyyyyyyy times and it is so silly! I talked about entitlment in a previous blog and all this goes hand in hand. Are we trying to make God known through us or us known through God? Think about that for a minute...
First, we all know God perfectly molded every human exactly the way He wanted them for whatever reason. You have the talents that God wanted you to have. You have the nose God wanted you to have. You are the height God wanted you to be. Baby, those thighs scream "Thunderrr!" because God wanted them too. He SAYS you are good. Let's get over ourselves and start getting confident (not arrogant) in exactly what God gave us. Doing this will ultimately make us work more freely and effectively in what God designed us to do. Stop weighing your every feature and talent against the one you compete with. Let us not forget that your "opponent" was given their beautiful features and talents by God Almighty. You are questioning His craftmanship by looking to another individual as if they were the perfect reflection? Your mirror should be God and not another very imperfect human.
Second, You are missing your purpose in the Body. When you should be uplifting someone or edifying them or giving some awesome affirmation towards their GOD-given talent or beauty, you withdrawal yourself because for whatever reason, as women, we say "why would we ever want to be friends with someone prettier than us or more talented? That doesn't get me noticed.." Come on, ladies. I am being real with you guys because I know this is a huge issue women in particular battle with. Let's adress it and change it. What ARE you really living to glorify? We can say "God" all day long, but when the talent that God gave you in order to glorify Him is hindered because of a competitive spirit...you are really glorifying yourself; living to perfect the gift rather than aknowledging the Giver.
I read a quote by C.S. Lewis and I absolutely loved it: "If we saw how glorious we all really are as creations of God, we would be tempted to bow down and worship the very people we slander."
I encourage you to read Phillipians 2:1-18. It will not take long and the Word is true, perfect, and will change you. Read it! :)
Please, ladies. Let us rise up as the women God created us to be. Use God as your mirror and stop looking to others as a perfect reflection. Use your gifts and talents and stop wishing for someone else's. You could not do it as well as them just as they could not fulfill your call better than you. Do not be afraid to encourage another woman...even if you feel jealous towards her. Pray, pray, pray that God take away that jealousy and give you a desire to fulfill YOUR calling. It's all about glorifying the Father, guys...
If you are unhappy with your weight, change it. If you want to dye your hair, do it. If you want better clothes, save up for them. If you want a better personality, stop being so rude. If you have a problem with another woman, adress it because when the issue is brought to light, Satan has no control over it and can not use it against you. If the insecurities that you battle with can be fixed, then do it. The things you can not change need to be accepted and worked with. Jesus says love! The greatest of these is LOVE! Love yourself and love everyone for exactly who God created them to be! You have GOT to get rid of the jealousy and competitive spirit. Let God freely move through a bold, confident, beautiful, and loving woman!
You truly are beautiful. Make sure your heart is just as beautiful because that is what counts and what your Father cares about.
Read Phillipians! ;) I love you, girls! Let us encourage one another!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Disaster Relief Agencies
To my surprise, when checking out all the organizations that were listed on the Disaster Relief Agencies website, "God" was not anywhere to be found.
Been in situation lately that you would label "A disaster?" You better believe that I have! After I get done crying like a baby, complaining to at least one of my friends, maybe posting a scripture on Facebook like "You reap what ya sow.." in hopes that the "thorn in my flesh" will read it, dwelling a little bit on the situation because the anger just makes me feel so dang good!!...I immediately turn to the Father and do what I do because I know (from experience) that He is my comfort and constant stability through the "disasters." Also when things are going great.
Now I know I am not the only one who does that! Transparency, people!
What I am constantly seeing (and I am in no way an exception to this statement, I have been this and done this plenty of times) is when life seems to be still and things are going our way, God chills on the back burner of our stove...His name stays listed as an "organization" amongst many on a Disaster Relief Organizations pamphlet that sits in your bedside drawer, or maybe He is lucky enough to hang on your refrigerator door. "Well what is the issue here, Jordan?" "I am constantly getting in my beside drawer and I glance at "God" when rummaging to grab my remote!" "I eat constantly, girl, what is your deal? God and I come in contact with one another constantly!"..
Dear friends, it saddens me to say that God has become a disaster relief organization; only called on or acknowledged when our ground has been shaken. Any other day of the week, lukewarm lives are lived; filled with compromise, selfishness, lust, sex before marriage (see ur Bible if that offends you and yes I am aware that I have a child...before marraige. The one you only run to when things are hard forgives my sins), acting on your drug addictions because "you can not live without it", or gossip, envy, and the list goes on. Get real, people.
God is the ultimate comforter and DOES want you to run to Him when things get tough, do not misunderstand me, but when disaster is the only time God gets any type of acknowledgment, there is a huge problem and a misunderstanding of this precious Father and exactly who He is and what he offers on a daily basis through a relationship with Him.
"I called to the LORD in my distress, and I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears." Psalms 18:6
Fact: God answers your cries in times of distress, He wants you to run into His arms for comfort, this I promise and know!..But, my question still remains: Why are so many lives lived contradictory in every way to the Word, obviously portraying a life of one who does not serve Jesus Christ, but when disaster comes, God is their "organization" of choice? Why are scriptures posted on your Facebook followed by a horoscope and pictures from your crazy party last night where you can't even remember how you got home...? Help me out here, guys. Make me understand exactly how you come to the conclusion that that life described lines up with Child of God. Not being naive, I realize many put on a good Christian show and bear no fruit, but God knows the hearts of all men. hmm..
"They want the cure but not the side effects."
" But if it doesn't please you to worship the LORD, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my family, we will worship the LORD." Joshua 24:15
"The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God's creation says: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I'm rich; I have become wealthy, and need nothing,' and you don't know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, and white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:14-20
The man who died for your every sin is the one we tend to only acknowledge and remain faithful to when disaster strikes. He deserves more than that. We deserve nothing. Like the scripture above says, choose today who you will serve. If God is only called on when you can't figure anything out anymore (news flash: You wouldn't know your head from your toe if God removed His hand from your life), then it's time to get your life right or pick another organization, folks. Time is running out and so much has already been wasted. Evaluate yourself and change.
Been in situation lately that you would label "A disaster?" You better believe that I have! After I get done crying like a baby, complaining to at least one of my friends, maybe posting a scripture on Facebook like "You reap what ya sow.." in hopes that the "thorn in my flesh" will read it, dwelling a little bit on the situation because the anger just makes me feel so dang good!!...I immediately turn to the Father and do what I do because I know (from experience) that He is my comfort and constant stability through the "disasters." Also when things are going great.
Now I know I am not the only one who does that! Transparency, people!
What I am constantly seeing (and I am in no way an exception to this statement, I have been this and done this plenty of times) is when life seems to be still and things are going our way, God chills on the back burner of our stove...His name stays listed as an "organization" amongst many on a Disaster Relief Organizations pamphlet that sits in your bedside drawer, or maybe He is lucky enough to hang on your refrigerator door. "Well what is the issue here, Jordan?" "I am constantly getting in my beside drawer and I glance at "God" when rummaging to grab my remote!" "I eat constantly, girl, what is your deal? God and I come in contact with one another constantly!"..
Dear friends, it saddens me to say that God has become a disaster relief organization; only called on or acknowledged when our ground has been shaken. Any other day of the week, lukewarm lives are lived; filled with compromise, selfishness, lust, sex before marriage (see ur Bible if that offends you and yes I am aware that I have a child...before marraige. The one you only run to when things are hard forgives my sins), acting on your drug addictions because "you can not live without it", or gossip, envy, and the list goes on. Get real, people.
God is the ultimate comforter and DOES want you to run to Him when things get tough, do not misunderstand me, but when disaster is the only time God gets any type of acknowledgment, there is a huge problem and a misunderstanding of this precious Father and exactly who He is and what he offers on a daily basis through a relationship with Him.
"I called to the LORD in my distress, and I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears." Psalms 18:6
Fact: God answers your cries in times of distress, He wants you to run into His arms for comfort, this I promise and know!..But, my question still remains: Why are so many lives lived contradictory in every way to the Word, obviously portraying a life of one who does not serve Jesus Christ, but when disaster comes, God is their "organization" of choice? Why are scriptures posted on your Facebook followed by a horoscope and pictures from your crazy party last night where you can't even remember how you got home...? Help me out here, guys. Make me understand exactly how you come to the conclusion that that life described lines up with Child of God. Not being naive, I realize many put on a good Christian show and bear no fruit, but God knows the hearts of all men. hmm..
"They want the cure but not the side effects."
" But if it doesn't please you to worship the LORD, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my family, we will worship the LORD." Joshua 24:15
"The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God's creation says: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I'm rich; I have become wealthy, and need nothing,' and you don't know that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, and white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:14-20
The man who died for your every sin is the one we tend to only acknowledge and remain faithful to when disaster strikes. He deserves more than that. We deserve nothing. Like the scripture above says, choose today who you will serve. If God is only called on when you can't figure anything out anymore (news flash: You wouldn't know your head from your toe if God removed His hand from your life), then it's time to get your life right or pick another organization, folks. Time is running out and so much has already been wasted. Evaluate yourself and change.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Here's My Proposition, God:
"Let this pregnancy test be a negative, and I promise, God, with this transparent and sincere heart, that I will never let you down again. I promise to live a life worthy of the calling you designed for me. Please, God. Have favor on me. I have always been faithful, God! It was just that one slip-up!.."
That was pretty close to my cry on a Wednesday night in a Wal-Mart bathroom in November, 2008. Such a scary, probably the scariest truth-be-told, night in my life. Up to that point in my life I had never really engaged in anything that "the church would frown upon," unless i was condemned by the "religious folks" for wearing tight jeans and having a nose ring. For some reason, when faced with a life-altering answer, I pleaded with God, asking Him to let this situation just scare me into a "closer relationship" with Him; Scare the tar out of me so I wouldn't make a mistake again. Dumb. First, God is a gentleman (and I knew this) and does not force a relationship with Him on anyone, nor would He force more of an intimate one on me. He is that perfect. Second, Actions have consequences, good or bad and you cannot choose your consequences, sad enough. Fact: God remains the same God always! No matter the situation, season, person He is dealing with, or what He allows to happen (notice I did not say makes happen). With that said, keep a sound mind and do not manipulate God into a "situational God." God is God and His ways are higher than ours.
Back to story, I straight up tried to bargain with God. Trade a consequence that I was certain to be bad for a better relationship with my Father; I made a proposition to God. If we were to all be honest with ourselves, you have at one time or another done the same exact thing. "If you just fix this God, I promise I'll never do [Insert your short-comings here] again..."
I looked at the stick and a big " : ) " showed in a circle. I was pregnant. 17 years old, junior in high school, "well known Christian" was pregnant. "How could you do this to me God? It was one time God and I know of people who constantly sin sexually and never get pregnant! What have I done to deserve this?" I was furious! How could a God that I have served for years bestow a consequence on me and let the ones who detest Him and do worse than me get tons and tons of free passes? "My proposition was perfect God! How can you say you love me and show favor to those who live for you?"
...Actions always come with a consequence, good or bad....
When I look back at my attitude and the way I spoke to my Father it breaks my heart. Guys, I don't understand why I got pregnant when I lost my virginity. I don't understand why the ones who should be pregnant are not, I do not understand why I have so much on my plate even to this day, I don't get it why my "one bad choice" caused multiple hardships in my life that won't cease any time soon...but something I do know is that my Father tells me in Jeremiah 29:11 that "[He] knows the plans [He] has for me, they are plans for good and not disaster, to give [me] a hope and a future." God and his Word are not circumstantial! This scripture was not disregarded when I made a poor decision. This scripture is not checked off as "does not apply" to you when you make a poor decision! The plan may alter a bit (not by God's doing, you have to remember that) and things may get harder for you and you may go through seasons where you just flat our do not understand one dad gum thing...but get this: He still has a plan for you...He still has a plan for me...a plan that now involves a little boy named, Trace, who I would not give up for anything.
God is not in the deal-making business. He is not someone you offer propositions to when you got [yourself] into a sticky situation that may provoke an altered life. God isn't the author of disaster, confusion, grief, or a mean man. He is everything you are not. The creator of you! Sent his baby, his perfect son, to shed blood, so much blood, and nailed to a tree for you! God watched His son hurt and have his flesh torn from his body...God watched his precious son become a man and take on every single sin of man and cover them with his precious blood. That is the Father we try and bargain with as if He owes us something. No, no we owe everything to Him. We deserve Hell, the end.
With all that said, your every sin is covered by The Blood as well as mistakes made. God is not looking for a proposition (He won't take it, anyway) but is looking for a humbled and repenting heart seeking redemption. Suck it up and deal with your consequences. God offers you the strength to deal with them, trust me, I am given that exact strength daily...sometimes hourly. "For since He himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested." Hebrews 2:18.
Don't throw propositions at God. Live a life worthy of your calling and know that you are an imperfect human that WILL "fall short of the glory of God." His grace is abundant and we will never truly wrap our minds around how amazing our God is. You are covered. Your sin is covered. Your future sins, because they are inevitable, are covered. Now, pick yourself up, dust off the dirt, and start seeking His will for your life again.
"If I keep my eyes on God, I won't trip over my own feet." Psalms 25:15
That was pretty close to my cry on a Wednesday night in a Wal-Mart bathroom in November, 2008. Such a scary, probably the scariest truth-be-told, night in my life. Up to that point in my life I had never really engaged in anything that "the church would frown upon," unless i was condemned by the "religious folks" for wearing tight jeans and having a nose ring. For some reason, when faced with a life-altering answer, I pleaded with God, asking Him to let this situation just scare me into a "closer relationship" with Him; Scare the tar out of me so I wouldn't make a mistake again. Dumb. First, God is a gentleman (and I knew this) and does not force a relationship with Him on anyone, nor would He force more of an intimate one on me. He is that perfect. Second, Actions have consequences, good or bad and you cannot choose your consequences, sad enough. Fact: God remains the same God always! No matter the situation, season, person He is dealing with, or what He allows to happen (notice I did not say makes happen). With that said, keep a sound mind and do not manipulate God into a "situational God." God is God and His ways are higher than ours.
Back to story, I straight up tried to bargain with God. Trade a consequence that I was certain to be bad for a better relationship with my Father; I made a proposition to God. If we were to all be honest with ourselves, you have at one time or another done the same exact thing. "If you just fix this God, I promise I'll never do [Insert your short-comings here] again..."
I looked at the stick and a big " : ) " showed in a circle. I was pregnant. 17 years old, junior in high school, "well known Christian" was pregnant. "How could you do this to me God? It was one time God and I know of people who constantly sin sexually and never get pregnant! What have I done to deserve this?" I was furious! How could a God that I have served for years bestow a consequence on me and let the ones who detest Him and do worse than me get tons and tons of free passes? "My proposition was perfect God! How can you say you love me and show favor to those who live for you?"
...Actions always come with a consequence, good or bad....
When I look back at my attitude and the way I spoke to my Father it breaks my heart. Guys, I don't understand why I got pregnant when I lost my virginity. I don't understand why the ones who should be pregnant are not, I do not understand why I have so much on my plate even to this day, I don't get it why my "one bad choice" caused multiple hardships in my life that won't cease any time soon...but something I do know is that my Father tells me in Jeremiah 29:11 that "[He] knows the plans [He] has for me, they are plans for good and not disaster, to give [me] a hope and a future." God and his Word are not circumstantial! This scripture was not disregarded when I made a poor decision. This scripture is not checked off as "does not apply" to you when you make a poor decision! The plan may alter a bit (not by God's doing, you have to remember that) and things may get harder for you and you may go through seasons where you just flat our do not understand one dad gum thing...but get this: He still has a plan for you...He still has a plan for me...a plan that now involves a little boy named, Trace, who I would not give up for anything.
God is not in the deal-making business. He is not someone you offer propositions to when you got [yourself] into a sticky situation that may provoke an altered life. God isn't the author of disaster, confusion, grief, or a mean man. He is everything you are not. The creator of you! Sent his baby, his perfect son, to shed blood, so much blood, and nailed to a tree for you! God watched His son hurt and have his flesh torn from his body...God watched his precious son become a man and take on every single sin of man and cover them with his precious blood. That is the Father we try and bargain with as if He owes us something. No, no we owe everything to Him. We deserve Hell, the end.
With all that said, your every sin is covered by The Blood as well as mistakes made. God is not looking for a proposition (He won't take it, anyway) but is looking for a humbled and repenting heart seeking redemption. Suck it up and deal with your consequences. God offers you the strength to deal with them, trust me, I am given that exact strength daily...sometimes hourly. "For since He himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested." Hebrews 2:18.
Don't throw propositions at God. Live a life worthy of your calling and know that you are an imperfect human that WILL "fall short of the glory of God." His grace is abundant and we will never truly wrap our minds around how amazing our God is. You are covered. Your sin is covered. Your future sins, because they are inevitable, are covered. Now, pick yourself up, dust off the dirt, and start seeking His will for your life again.
"If I keep my eyes on God, I won't trip over my own feet." Psalms 25:15